The recent remarks credited to Senator Iyabo Obasanjo regarding Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (Yayi) are not only unfortunate but also deeply ironic coming from someone whose own political history is defined more by privilege and episodic participation than by consistent grassroots engagement.
Senator Iyabo Obasanjo’s attempt to lecture the people of Ogun State on political credibility raises a fundamental question: who truly embodies the principles of commitment, service, and connection with the people?
Senator Solomon Adeola’s political trajectory is not a tale of opportunism but rather a testament to democratic mobility and sustained public service. From the Lagos State House of Assembly to the House of Representatives and later the Senate representing Lagos West for two terms, his legislative career has been defined by tangible impact, strong constituency engagement, and visible empowerment initiatives.
His transition to Ogun West was not an act of political opportunism but a legitimate return to his ancestral roots in Yewaland, where he has continued to deliver representation and development.
It is therefore curious that someone who has spent over a decade outside the country and only recently returned to reinsert herself into Ogun State politics would attempt to question the legitimacy of a man who has spent over twenty years actively serving Nigerian constituents within the democratic system.
Democracy is not inherited. It is earned through sustained engagement, sacrifice, and service to the people.
The attempt to portray Senator Adeola as a political interloper ignores the reality that many Nigerians in public service have historically represented constituencies tied to their roots, residence, or political base. What matters in a democracy is performance, acceptance by the electorate, and capacity to deliver results, not the convenience of elite narratives.
Even more troubling is the attempt to position herself as a defender of democratic consistency while simultaneously acknowledging her own political migration from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
If political movement between parties is acceptable in the pursuit of relevance and opportunity, it becomes intellectually inconsistent to condemn another politician for pursuing legitimate representation within his ancestral constituency.
Indeed, what weakens democratic institutions is not the movement of politicians between constituencies but the absence of sustained grassroots credibility and respect for political culture.
Observers of Ogun State politics will recall that public conduct and temperament are equally important components of leadership.
Episodes from the past, including highly publicized controversies surrounding Senator Obasanjo’s public behavior at major national events, have unfortunately contributed to concerns about her disposition toward decorum, leadership discipline, and respect for institutions.
Leadership requires humility, emotional maturity, and respect for others in public spaces. These qualities are critical in building the consensus and trust required to govern a diverse state like Ogun.
Furthermore, the suggestion that Senator Adeola lacks connection with the people of Ogun West does not align with the lived reality of constituents who have directly benefited from his legislative interventions, infrastructure facilitation, scholarships, and empowerment programmes across Yewaland.
Leadership is ultimately validated by the people, not by commentary on radio programmes. The people of Ogun State are politically sophisticated. They understand the difference between consistent service and sudden political rediscovery. They also recognize that governance is not a platform for settling personal ambitions or projecting inherited political influence.
Senator Solomon Adeola’s record speaks for itself. His work across multiple legislative chambers demonstrates experience, institutional understanding, and the ability to deliver results.
Ogun State deserves a conversation about development, economic growth, infrastructure, education, and opportunity, not distractions fueled by personal attacks and revisionist narratives.
In the end, the people, not political rhetoric, will decide who truly represents their interests and aspirations.
And history has repeatedly shown that in democracy, service always speaks louder than entitlement.
â– Chief Segun Ogundele is a public commentator and coordinator of YES Initiative, a socio-political group in Ogun State.
